Getty ImagesA fan attending the Texans’ preseason game against the Vikings at Reliant Stadium on Thursday night fell off an escalator and died.
Houston police classified the death as accidental and said the man was trying to slide down the outside hand rail of the escalator when he fell three stories. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.
A fan who was nearby told the Houston Chronicle he “heard the very loud noise when he hit the ground.”
UPDATE, 8:30 PM EDT: Authorities identified the deceased man as 25-year-old Jonathon Kelly of Houston. Police say the fall appears to have been an accident. Stadium officials say they are confident in the safety of the escalators.
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Very sad for the mans family and friends, but no doubt the lawyers are lining up!
Wow that’s sad.
That’s absolutely horrible!! May he R.I.P. & I wish his family nothing but the best!!!
Terrible.
Very similar to the death at Shea Stadium back in either 07 or 08, sad…
I really hope he wasn’t there with his kids.
Hmm, its definitely sad but could have definitely been prevented. Maybe ya know not try to slide down a packed escalator hand rail when its 3 stories high. Probably a drunken mistake
I saw a bannister-slider fall once and watched a Theissman-like break mid-shin. Its fun to slide and all but it ain’t that fun. RIP dude.
This happens more often than most would think. Couple years back a guy died at Citi Field doing the same thing. Shortly after another guy died same way.
Terrible to see.
Couldn’t imagine being there and witnessing it with my family. RIP
How are they not encased?
Rest in peace. Prayers for the family.
I wish his family the best in dealing with such a tragedy, but I have to wonder why anyone would think its a good idea to slide down the outer rail of an escalator? Let alone, a 45-year old man. Very sad, nonetheless.
Dang thats awful, I was there and was wondering why they had everything bloccked off
How long before the family sues and then there are some ridiculous measures taken to prevent this from happening again?
I’ll have to remember not to do that.
I’ve slid down the sides of escalator but not ones that you can fall 3 stories to your death.. gotta use common sense
My Condolences go out to the family. RIP
Dude, just WAIT a few moments. Woke up that morning excited to see his favorite team play and now this. Condolences to the loved ones.
What a sad and senseless death.
My condolences. One question though, who tries to slide down the hand rail of an escalator 3 stories high?
It’s slays sad when theres a death but things like this is preventable. I wish the family well and I hope that they can move on knowing that it was just a freak accident.
That’s really horrible, but I gotta ask: 45 years old (my age, btw) and sliding down a three-story railing….was there alcohol involved? Or, rather, how much alcohol was involved?
Exact same thing happened to a friend of mine from High School at the Providence Place Mall. So sad
Exactly RAQ – “How long before the family sues and then there are some ridiculous measures taken to prevent this from happening again?”
Sad it happened, but STUPID!!! Feel bad for the family, but not the guy.
C’mon man… why do people…including some on THIS POST automatically think ‘Big Brother’ should devise MORE methods to protect us from ourselves.
Encase it???
Blocked off???
Seriously??? You’re the first ones to THEN complain about big government and control.
I have an idea – Don’t slide down a 3 story escalator and take responsibility for your own welfare. PERIOD.
Frankly, Reliant should sue his estate for the cost of trama to other fans, clean up, and bad PR.
Sad, but dont be heavily inebriated and try sliding down an escalator or what have you, wrong combination. There are some deaths that are tragic and some that are 100% preventable.
Houston media outlets are reporting that the victim was 25, not 45
Who tries to slide down the (moving) hand rail of an escalator, period?
RIP my friend!
Sorry but no one can protect the stupidity, no one force the guy to slide down a rail that’s two stories high. If he’d used his better judgement, he would still be here today, not the stadiums fault. Hate to say it but a lot of deaths caused by an individual itself is people not using their common senses. If people are gonna keep suing the football owners, etc; they’re gonna band alcohol period at games, ticket prices will raise and you’ll have to sign a waiver.
Reminds me of a guy that died @ Soldier Field. He (and others) would climb over a wall and smoke cigarettes (since smoking is not allowed anywhere in the stadium) on a ledge on the outside of the stadium. One day he was being “cute” and jumped over the wall to show off. He slipped off the ledge and fell several stories to his death.
Condolences to the family & friends. Apparently he died doing what he must have loved, acting like a complete moron.
“Hey ya’ll, watch this!”
Wonder if it was that fullback named clutz they just picked up?
tiggerblood says: Sep 2, 2012 2:59 AM
Wonder if it was that fullback named clutz they just picked up?
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Dude’s name is spelled Clutts, and it was a FAN who died, not a player…You’re an idiot, and evidently heartless as well.